User Reviews

Reviews by coltsr2:

More User Reviews:

3/5 rDev -27.2%look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On the heavier side of things but manages a thick head. The mouth feel is viscous but far from sticky.

Charred grains and french roast dominate upfront. Hints of barely sweet chocolate come through midsip, providing some relief from the more forward burnt flavors. The finish introduces some earthy hops that build on the drier flavors, and the alcohol shows a bit more than I was expecting it would.

The lingering flavor mixes a touch of sweetness, a ton of charred and burnt malt, and a present but not offensive alcohol.

A solid, straight forward RIS. I think the execution was on-point, and the lack of evident flaws is commendable. But, for me, it was a little too much char and a little too one-dimensional.

I have liked the other Nogne brews I have had in the past and this one was true to form as well.Poured into an imperial pint glass a jet black I mean no light showing through,a large two finger dark mocha colored head atop.Alot of complexities in the nose,heavily roasted with underlying smoke and wood,a hint of vanilla and leafy hp as well.Flavors are heavily roasted and quite bitter,a French roast coffee flaor dominates up front along with some real smokey flavors,some bitter chocolate and molasses comes through,finishing earthy,bitter and a little raw.There is some serious use of Columbus hops used in this impy stout,if you like a big stout with some rough edges you will love this,very nice.

LOOK (5/5) – Pours a jet black colour and is opaque. Head is very good: rises large off the pour; rich tan /mocha colour; it lasts exceptionally long given the abv and recedes with some really nice Belgian lace. Some alcoholic ‘legs’ visible.

SMELL (4.5/5) – Very good, it has a really nice roasted and sweet aroma that is reminiscent of a coffee with cream. On the malt side I get: lots of coffee; caramel notes; some dark fruit (plums, prunes) as well. That being said, the overall intensity of the malt aroma was only medium-high. There was also a good bit of floral and perfumy alcohols that complimented the touch of fruitiness quite well. Hop aroma was mild.

TASTE (4.5/5) – Similar to the aroma. Malt character is of the same sort, very much like a rich coffee and cream with caramel and dark fruits, the alcohol and fermentation add some really nice lighter characters that play off the dark sweetness really well (think rich chocolate cake). There is also a bit of nuttiness from the oat. Hop flavour was minimal, but was of a more earthy character (I did detect a slight hint of resin, though). Hop bitterness was medium-high and did a good job of drying out the finish and letting the roasted flavors take hold to avoid a cloying finish. Alcoholic flavour are definitely there but are not hot (a touch solventy on the finish); again, this plays with the coffee and melanoidins very well.

FEEL (4.5/5) – Full bodied with medium-low carbonation play really well. I think that it hit a nice balance between being really velvety and fluffy.

This beer pours in a thick black viscous way, with a modest light-brown head, and a dense body. The aroma has a lot of chocolate, some alcohol, and a strong graininess to it. The body is thick with chocolate, caramel, malty sweetness, and a generous bitterness as well. It is very good but there is also something acrid about it. I'd like to try it again and see if that same characteristic is still present.

I had this in a tulip glass. It was a very dark brown, almost black, with a thick light brown head. The head dissipated quickly, but there was still a little bit of lacing. Primarily a coffee aroma, but also a bit of smoke and some chocolate. The taste was a lingering coffee and a tiny bit of chocolate. A little bit of bitterness at the end. Thoroughly enjoyable.

16.9 oz bottle. Pours an opaque black with a small dark brown head that quickly dissipates to a thin film.

The aroma is burnt roasted chocolate malts, grains, anise and some alcohol.

The flavor is some lactic chocolate followed by anise and a big sticky burnt bitterness with a little residual sweetness. As it warms, some coffee notes come out. The alcohol is well hidden. The mouthfeel is medium to full and slightly watery.

Overall, this is a decent big impy stout. It's a little too much on the charred side for me.

16.9oz bottle, no date. Pours black with a medium sized brown head. Straightforward smell of roasted malt and cocoa. More complex taste of roasted malt, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, and some dark fruit. The taste is somewhat muted, but very balanced. The roasted malt is lighter than with other RIS's. Below average body and above average carbonation. Overall, its balanced and feels well-crafted.

Bottle pours about the blackest liquid I've ever seen. A healthy cocoa hued head rises two inches above the ebony body, creamy and thick. Lavish lacing clings to the glass.

Aroma is a lot of dark roasty malts. Dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, licorice, dark bread, and dark fruits make for a very inviting nose.

Mouthfeel is thick and rich. Moderate carbonation and a pervasive roasty bitterness on ther palate.

Taste is more dark roasty bitterness. Dark chocolate and scalded coffee dominate, with an assist by notes of vanilla, anise, dark fruits, and Columbus hops. Finishes quite bitter with a touch of the hops joining the dark roast.

Very enjoyable stout that is ideal for sipping on a cool winter evening.

My first brew from Norway, and damn was it a good 'un. Let's dig right in!

Poured into a dimpled mug. Like a good RIS, this brew is inky black, with only the faintest hint of chestnut or caramel when held to the light. Despite what I thought to be a gentle pour, Nogne produced a billowing mocha head that gently receded to a thick, impermeable layer of foam. Loads of sticky lacing. A fine looking brew indeed.

The nose displays all the best things I look forward to in a RIS, with a few extra goodies thrown in for good measure. A nice milk-cream sweetness, chocolate, bitter coffee, dark fruit, but with a lovely smoked character that for the briefest of moments reminded me of the meatiness of a rauchbier. Scandinavians seem to dig their smoky dark ales (Olvisholt's Lava anyone?), and I encourage this.

Tastes exactly as what the nose hinted it would. Rich and hearty, and with a nice smokiness that at once elicited visions of bygone campfires (and a subtle hint of smoked sausage to boot). The smoke and the hops provide a finish that is mildly sour - even a bit puckery - which neatly cleans up the sweetness of the brew's entry. Dark chocolate occasionally pokes its head about during the finish as well.

This beer has a silky body with mild but sufficient carbonation. Surprisingly creamy as well - very enjoyable.

My first brew from Norway, and boy did they hit this one out of the water. Loads of character, a delightful smoky complexion, and a well-hidden extra punch of booze, this will definitely be a repeat purchase for me. Recommended.

One of the best russian imperial stouts out there, an excellent example of the genre. Pitch black pour with a bit of head. Smells of roasted malts and boatloads of dark cherries. The taste follows the same notes, simple components yet excellently blended. Smooth mouthfeel and a bitter aftertaste.

Pours out like motor oil - black, viscous, slightly red. No head at first, then slowly a big, thick two finger head that's really thick and creamy with very dark brown coloring - almost like chocolate milk. Nose is rich and sweet - dark chocolate, dark coffee, roasted turkey? very malty. Has a noticeable amount of booze as well.

This mouthfeel is very light and watery for an Imperial Stout, however it's very nice - similar to maybe an American brown ale. still rich and thick but not syrupy or sticky. Has a light carbonation that makes it very drinkable. Leaves a roasty finish with some nice chocolatey hints as well.

Excellent RIS, one of my favorite and the first beer I've had from Nogne O. I've got their dark horizon still sitting in my cellar, now I'm really excited for it!